Delta Dispatches

Why MRGO Must Stay Gone

October 22nd, 2020  |  53 mins 2 secs

coast, environment, gulf, louisiana, mississippi river, mississippi river gulf outlet, mrgo

Thanks for tuning in this week! Today, Simone and Jacques have a special, panel-esque episode all about the infamous Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, nicknamed the "Hurricane Highway", and progress made in the decade since its closure. Pontchartrain Conservancy Coasts & Community Program Director John Lopez, National Wildlife Federation Gulf Program Deputy Director Amanda Moore, and Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement & Development CEO Arthur Johnson offer their invaluable perspectives on the channel's devastating impact to the surrounding communities and ecosystem prior to its closure in 2009, particularly when it acted as a funnel for storm surge when Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. The panelists also discuss the rebound made by the ecosystem over the past 10 years that was captured in a recently released report and increased community engagement around coastal restoration.

The Road to Resilience

October 14th, 2020  |  45 mins 40 secs

coast, delta, environment, land loss, louisiana, resilience, state

Thanks for listening to this week’s episode! Today, Simone and Jacques talk about the ongoing efforts by Louisiana's state agencies and nonprofits to increase coastal resilience in relation to climate change. First, we catch up with Jeannette Dubinin, the Director of Resilience and Adaptation for the Center for Planning Excellence, or CPEX. She talks about some of their exciting new projects and their free virtual Smart Growth Summit that is currently underway -- and accepting participants! Their next session is focused around green infrastructure in Louisiana. Louisiana's first Chief Resilience Officer Charles Sutcliffe joined us for our second segment, providing the juicy details about the governor's latest executive orders focused on lowering carbon emissions across the state and increasing collaboration between state agencies to promote resilience initiatives.
This podcast came in the wake of Hurricane Delta striking southwest Louisiana just six weeks after Hurricane Laura. To help with recovery, check out our list of resources: http://mississippiriverdelta.org/laurarelief

Introducing the Coastal Community Cookbook!

September 23rd, 2020  |  1 hr 2 mins

chef, coast, cooking, environment, louisiana

On this week’s episode, we talk with Samantha Carter, Outreach Manager with the National Wildlife Federation to talk about her new project, the Coastal Community Cookbook! Inspired by the paper bound cookbooks passed around by our grandmothers, the Coastal Community Cookbook is designed to promote our favorite seafood recipes and raise awareness of the issues found along our coast. You can submit your own recipe here! In our second conversation, Simone and Jacques chat with participating chef, Randy Cheramie! He’s the Chef Instructor, CJFCI at Nicholls State University and tells so many amazing stories about his life as a restaurateur, professor, and chef.

The 2017 Coastal Master Plan

March 10th, 2017  |  40 mins 56 secs

cpra, louisiana, louisiana master plan

Welcome to Delta Dispatchers with hosts Simone Maloz & Jacques Hebert.

On today’s show Bren Haase, assistant administrator of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority joins the program to talk with Simone about the “Masterplan”. Dr. Denise Reed, Chief Scientist, of The Water Institute of the Gulf comes on to also to talk with Jacques about the “Masterplan”.

The Science of Coastal Restoration

March 3rd, 2017  |  51 mins 40 secs

coastal restoration, louisiana, master plan

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Delta Dispatches with hosts Simone Maloz & Jacques Hebert. On today’s show Steve Cochran Campaign Director of Restore the Mississippi Delta joins the program, as well as, Alisha Renfro, Coastal Scientist for the National Wildlife Federation.